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Wildcat Den State Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,343 Google reviews · Running trail in Muscatine, Iowa · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Wildcat Den State Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Bluff- & creek-lined hiking trails, a historic grist mill, picnic shelters & primitive campgrounds.
What runners say about Wildcat Den State Park
“Incredible park with wide, well maintained paths, and clear trail markers.”
“Our kids never get tired of visiting the beautiful waterfall next to the old grist mill—it feels like stepping back in time.”
Beautiful park! Lots of different things to do- an old church, schoolhouse, and mill are located within the park. There are also a handful of BEAUTIFUL forested trails of various lengths & difficulty. Many are very short so you can see a lot within a few hours, or you can have enough to do for days.
Beautiful tall tress that provide lots of shade. Everything is so green which makes us feel like you are in a fairytale. The rock formations are beautiful. Also there are many bridges that cross the creeks, which are just great.
This park has the coolest rock formations, seen best taking Punch Bowl trail. You can get to Mill by trail, Mill Trail connects with other trails. When map says trails are “hard” it’s due to steep staircases, not length. Trails are well maintained and entirely shaded. Very impressed with this state park.
Really cool park with amazing hikes. I hiked most of the trails on the day I went and I think they're very pretty. Definitely bring bug spray as I was being absolutely eaten alive. Also if you're in to mushroom hunting this is a good spot for it, I found a log COMPLETELY covered in golden oysters.
Trail conditions & character
“Our kids never get tired of visiting the beautiful waterfall next to the old grist mill—it feels like stepping back in time.”
“The trails are a mix between gravel and dirt(muddy sometimes) so check the weather before hand if you don't want to slip and slide.”
“Definitely bring your bug spray though and park near the modern restrooms for the best experience.”
“The trail was well marked and relatively easy to complete even on a cold, snowy day.”
“The trails are a mix between gravel and dirt(muddy sometimes) so check the weather before hand if you don't want to slip and slide.”
“Not many water fountains available, and no maps available in the map container.”
Plan your run at Wildcat Den State Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadrestrooms, water — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websiteiowadnr.gov
- Phone+1 563-263-4337
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 4 am–10:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 4 am–10:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 4 am–10:30 pm |
| Thursday | 4 am–10:30 pm |
| Friday | 4 am–10:30 pm |
| Saturday | 4 am–10:30 pm |
| Sunday | 4 am–10:30 pm |
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